Spring-wheel.



BEST AVAILABLE CGPY A. LAURENOIOH.

SPRING WHEEL. APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 1a, 1913.

Patented Dec. 16,1913.

4 snnmksnnm 1.

lvwcwhz @vihwoow Z2 A. LAURENOIGH. SPRING WHEEL. APPLIOATIOH PILEDBEPT. 13, 19 13.

Patented Dec. 16, 1913.

,4 SHEETS-MEET} A. LAURENGIGH.

SPRING WHEEL.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 1a, 1913.

Patented Dec. 16, 1913.'

4 SHEETS-SHEET 3. I

A. LAURENOIGH.

. SPRING WHEEL. uruouror; FILED 8BPT.18, ms.

Patented Dec. 16, 1913.

'4 SHEETS-SHEET 4 UNlTlE ATENT tlFFlQE.

ARTHUR LA'URENCICH, OF WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, ASSIGNOR OF ONE- HALF TO WILLIAM A. KID/IME'L, OF WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.

SPRING-WHEEL.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Dec. 16,1913.

Application filed September 13, 1913. Serial No. 789,678.

T /71 whom- 1' i may come/'11 lie it known that l, An'ruua Launnscicu, a citizen of the United States, residing at llashington, in the District of Columbia, have invented new and useful improvements in Spring-\Vheels, of which the following is a specification.

The principal object, inter (die, of my mvention is to provide a novel construction of spring 'whee], especially designed for use on automobiles, with which it possible to use a solid rubber, or cushion, tire and yet derive therefrom the great resiliency and ease of comfort in riding, which characterize a wheel equipped with an ordinary pneumatic tire. A pneun'iatie tire, while desirable on account of its resiliency, is objectionable because of its liability to puncture and because of its expense.

It is, therefore, one of the primary objects of my invention to provide a novel construction of spring wheel, by the use of which the necessity for a pneumatic tire is avoided, and which, at the same time, will retain all the advantages of a pneumatic tire, without its objectionable features.

It is also an important object of my invention to provide a wheel, of the character noted, which, by reason of its relative simplicity of structure, can be manufactured andv sold at such a figure as successfully -to compete with other wheels now on the market.

It is a. further desideratum with me to provide a spring wheel which will be exceedingl y durable in use, and which will not be likely to get out of order;

An auxiliary object is to provide a novei and simple and etlieient means for retaining the springs in position against possibility of creeping or working loose.

A further object is to provide a spring wheel, provided with leaf springs, in which the leaf-springs are imperforate, that is, are assembled with the wheel without the use of bolts passing through the springs. With the usual construction of leaf springs in wheels, the leaf springs are punctured or cut in some manner in assembling them with the wheel, which weakens the springs at the point of puncture or cut.

With these objects in view, the invention comprehends a strueturein which a nove form of spring-supporting members is carried by the wheel-rini, and in which a novel form of wedge means cooperates with the spring-s11pporting members to retain one end of the springs in position.

Moreover, the invention comprehcnds a structure in which a novel form of wheel- 6 0 hub is provided, cooperating with a novel form of wedge means, to retain the other end of the springs in position.

The invention also comprehends a structure in which a peculiar and novel form of locking-key is used, which cooperates with the wheel-hub in retaining the springs in position at their point of engagement; with the hub.

The invention, finally, comprehends cerlain felicitous and :ulvantageous details of construction, which go to make up the ultimate perfection of the whole device.

The invention is graphically visualized in the accompanying drawings, in which like reference-elmracters denote corrcspomling parts throughout the several views. In these drawings, I have exhibited, as i1lustrations, several desirable forms of embodiment of my invention capable of carrying out the underlying principles thereof. A brief description ofthe dill'erent figures of the drawings follows:

Figure It is a side clevational view-of a spring wheel equipped with my improvemerits; Fig. 2 is a fragmentary view, in horizontal cross section, taken on the line E2-2, Fig. 1; Fig. 3 a fragmentary transverse sectional view, taken on the line 3-3, Fi

1; Fig. l is a sectional view, taken on the line 4---l, Fig. -1:, Fig. 5 is a bottom plan view of the parts shown in Fig. l, the wedgemember (shown in Fig. 4) being omitted,

for the purpose of clearness of illustration of the remaining parts; Fig. ('3 is a section taken on the line (i'--( Fig. 4:; Fig. 7 is a perspective detail view of the fol m of wedge used with the device shown in the preceding figures; Figs. 8 and t) are fragnuintary detail views of two forms of springs which may be used; Fig. 10 is a f'agimmlary detail view of a slightlymodified form of springsu iporting member; Fig. 11 is'a sectional view, taken on the line 11-11, Fig. 10; Fig.

12 is a fragmentary detail view of a second, slightly-modified form of spring-supporting member and of a wedge cooperating therewith; Fig. 13 is a sectional view, taken on the line 1313, Fig. 12; Fig. 14 is a detail view, in top plan, of the form of wedge used in connection with the device shown in Figs. 12 andl3; Fig. 15 is a fragmentary detail view of a third, slightly-modified form of spring-supporting member; Fig. 16 is a sectional view, taken on the line 16-16, Fig. 15; Fig. 17 is a fragmentary detail view of my peculiar form of hub and of my peculiar form of wedge-means cooperating therewith; Figs. 18, 19 and 20 are sectional views,

t .ken, respectively, on the lines 18--18, 1919, and 20-20, Fig. 17; Fig. 21 is a fragmentary detail view of a slightly-modified form of hub and .of a wedge-member cooperating therewith; Fig. 22 is a detail view of the form of wedge shown in Fig. 21; and Figs. 23 and 2% are perspective detail views of a single-piece locking-key and a split or two-section locking-key, respectively.

Referring, now, in detail to the drawings: 1 designates the wheel-rim, which, as shown, may be T-shaped in transverse section. To this rim is secured, in any suitable manner, as by rivets 2, the tire-holder 3, which, forming no part of my invention, may be of any suitable or desired construction.

4 designates the springs of my invention, which, as shown, are disposed intermediate the rim 1 and the wheel-hub 5 (of peculiar formation, later to be described). These springs are bow-shaped, leaf springs, as show11, and are constructed of suitable material, such as steel, so as to derive from their use the maximum of strength and durability. They are, in width and in number, sufficient to meet the requirements of the particular wheel in which they are to be installed, and the use to which the particular wheel is intended to be put. The springs may be formed, in respect to their terminals, either as shown in Fig. 8, or as shown in Fig. 9. That is to say, both ends or terminals, of each spring. may be transversely bent and doubled or folded down upon the spring, as shown at 5, in Fig. 8; or,'as shown in Fig. 9, each spring 4- may, at both ends, be simply bent. transversely, as shown at 5, without being doubled or foldcd down upon the spring. A spring equipped with the bent terminals shown in Fig. 9 is, perhaps, preferable, from the standpoint of ease and simplicity of manufacture.

My invention contemplates peculiar, novel, simple, and efficacious means for holding the springs in place, at both their terminals, and several forms of advantageous means are exemplified in the drawings, and will now be described, as follows: Referring, first, to Figs. 1, 3, i, 5 and 6: The centrally-disposed, right-angled flange 6 of the rim 1 is provided, at its free extremity, along the edge thereof, with a plurality, of symmetrically arranged, cut-away portions 7 (see Fig. 4:),

at S, 8, forming a seat orpocket for the bent terminals 5" of the springs-4r, and preventing accidental removal thereof by a force exertedthereon in the direction of the length thereof. As shown in Fig. h'the springs 4:,

4, toward one end thereof, bear againstthe sides of the openings or cut-away portions 7. On both sides of the flange 6 are disposed spring-supporting members 9, which are arran ed in airs each air bein dis osed adjacent one of the openings or cut-away portions 7. Each of said members consists of an elongated plate suitably secured, as

by rivets 10, to theflange 6, and having a. I

cut-away orrecessed portion 11 extending from one longitudinal edge of the plate, at a point intermediate the length thereof, so

as to accommodate the springs t. This cutaway portion is provided with sloping or inclined, converging sides 12,-corresponding with the inclined sides 7 a of the openings or cutaway portions 7 and, when the plates 9 are in proper position on the flange 6, the

recessed portion 11 registers with therecessed portion 7. Each recessed portion 11- has, at the inner end thereof, an offset 12 (Fig. 1), forming aseat or pocket for the reception of the bent end 5* of. the spring a. The plate or member 9 is provided, along the edges of the recessed portion 11,.with a right-angled flange 13 (Figs. 1, 4, and 6).

forming a bearing for the springs .4, toward one end thereof. Each plate or member 9 is also provided, intermediate the length thereof, with a boss 1% (Figs. 1 and 4).

My invention contemplates the provision of suitable means for retaining the springs in position, when seated in the supportingmembers 9, and a convenient and eflieient form of these means is shown in the drawings and willnow be described. Said means consist, preferably. of a wedge-member, designated, generally, in Fig. 7, by the ref'-' erence number 15; and it comprises a top 16, two longitudinal, inclined, and converging sides 17, 17, and two ends 18, 18, which latter are extended beyond the sides 17, 17, so as to form lips 19, 19, hearing against the sides of the springs 4;, to hold them from sidewisemovement. The wedge-member 15 is also provided, in its top '16, with bolt-openings 20, 20. In use, the wcdgemember 15 is forced up between a pair of springs i, 4 (as shown in Figs. .1 and 4:), which jams said pair of spri n tightly a gainst the spring-supporting members 9, 9. The wedge is then looked 111 position in any suitable manner,

as by screws 21, 21 passing through the openings 20, 20, into the spring-suppertingmembers 9, 9.

In Figs. 10 and 11 is shown a slightlyditterent form of springsupporting menr her. In this instance,'each of. said members consists of two, parallel, spaced plates 22, 22, forn'ied integrahas by casting, with an ex panded base 23, The central flange 6 of the rim l is disposed between the plates 22, 22, and the latter are suitably secured to the former, as by rivets 23, 23 passing therethrough. Each plate 22 may be provided with a transversely-extending strengthening-rib or flange The base 23 carries a depending skirt 25, having a central, cutaway portion 26 extending upward from the lower edge thereof, and having inclined, converging side-walls, constituting bearings for the springs 4t, 4*, The cut'away portion 26 ofeach skirt 25 is provided, at. its inner end, with 0 positely-disposed olfsets 27, constituting seats for the bent terminals I) of: the springs 4;. The skirt 25 may be pio vided with strengthening ribs or flanges 2 28. A wedge-numiber if), having lips 19', 19, is provided, and is identical with and serves the same purpose as the-wedge member 15 ot the preceding figures of the drawings, and, therefore, needs no detailed description.

.l igs 12, 13 and H shoi a slightly-modb tied form of springsupporting member 22 and wedge-men'iber 15 The spring-supporting member 22 is substantially similar to the springsilpporting member of Figs. 10 and 11, excepting that the skirt 25 is provided, toward its lower end, with oppositelydisposed, apertnred cars 25). The wcdgemember 15 is also substantially similar to tht wedge-member of the preceding figures of the drawings, excepting that, instead of the lips 19- (see, for instance, Figs. 10 and 11), it is provided, at both ends, with oppositely-disposed pairs of apertured cars 30. The wedge-member is secured in position by suitable means, such as bolts 31 passing through the aportured cars 29 and E30, and carrying nuts Figs. 15 and 16 show a slightly-mmlitied form of springsupporting member 22". In this instance, the wedge used in the device of the preceding figures of the drawings is dispensed with. Each member 22? has a skirt 25 provided with two pairs of oppositelydisposed cars 29, and .with two convergingly-inclined slots 33, exttfinling from the bottom thereof upward. The springs; are

slipped into the slots 33, and are held againstaeeidental displacement by bolts 34 passing through the apertured ears 2%), 29, on each side of said springs.

Several forms of means for holding in position one end of the bowed leaf-springs have now been described. There remains tobe described the particular form of means for holding in position the opposite ends of said springs. Referring, first, to Figs. 17, 18, 1.9 and 20: The hub 5 is preferably recessed on one face thereof, as shown at 35, in which tits a central apertured disk 36 (big. 1) secured to the hub in any suitable manner, as

by bolts 37 passing through bolt-apertures 38 in the hub. The hubis also provided with apertures $59 for purpose of lightness. The hub carries, centrally ot the width thereof, a longitndinally-extending, peripheral ilange 40. The hub is, in a plurality of places, split or cut the entire width thereof, as shown at 4-1: the. side walls of said cut-away portions being oli'set, or bent, at their inner ends, as shown at 41", forming seats or popkets for the bent ends 5 of the springs 1, and thus preventing accidental removal thereof by a force exerted thereon in. the direction of the length thereof. Near each slotted or re cessed portion ll, the flange it) is cut or slit,

.as shown at 4-1", transversely thereof, said slit extending from the 1wriphery of the tlange partway, only, of the width thereof, as shown in Fig. 17. The hub 5 is provided, adjoining and at the point of the slit ll", with-a transversely-extending boss 4-2 (see Figs. 17 and 20), the split ll" extending longitudinally thereol, part way therethrough. The flange 40 also carries, on each side thereof, right-angled, transversely-exlending flanges 43, said flanges extending along the edges of the cut-away portions 41., and constituting bearings for the ends of the springs 4. The ends of the springs 4. are, as shown in Figs. 1 and 17, passed into the cut-away portions 41.

A locking-key it may, if desired, be used; but this is not essential and may be dispensed with. This locking-key is a plate it (see Fig. 23), which is thrust down into the cut-away portion ll, between two adjacent springs t (see Figs. '1, '17, and 20). The key is provided, at each end, with a double flange 45, which bears against the sides of two adjacent springs 4 (as shown in Figs. 1, 1S and 20), thus preventing sidewise move lnent thereol. A wedge-key 46 (formed as a tapering roller) projects horizontally through a tapering bore 47 in the boss -12, and is provided with a screw-threaded end 48, on which is screwed a nut 4-9. Obviously, by tightening up the nut, the wedge-roller lti is moved to cause the bifurcated boss 42 to spread, and thus jam tightly against the springs 4, preventing accidental withdrawal thereof.

As shown in Fig. :Z-t, the locking-key 44, instead of being in one piece, as shown in Fig. 23, may be a split key. '1'. (I, a key fornited in two similar sections 44, ll.

Referring, now,.to Figsn 21'and 22, the constructioi'i here is the same as in Fi 1? at 8051., excepting that. insteadof a horizontally-disposed wedge-roller-key (as shown in Fig. 17 e25 869., a vertically-disposed wedge-key (designated, generally, by t6 in Fig. 22) is provided. This particular form of key is furnished with a head 4C6 adapted for engagement by a wrench, a tapering, smooth shank {L7, and a screw-threaded por tion 48. As disclosed in Fig. 21, the wedge is seen passing vertically down into the split portion 41 of the fia-nge 59, the screwthreaded portion 48 being screwed into a threaded socket 49 in the hub 5. The function of this key 4-6 is the same as the key 46 of the device of Fig. 17 et seq.

Fig. 2 shows a means for carrying the air inflating tube 50, without weakening the fiange 6, or the rim 1. The flange 6' is split or cut-away, as shown at 51, and in this cutaway portion is disposed the body portion of a tube-carrying member 52, provided, at each end, with a pair of arms 53, engaging between them the flange G. Rivets 54, or the like, pass through the arms 53 and the flange 6, thus securing the member 52 to the flange 6.

I am aware that many modifications in detail may be resorted to; but all such as come within the scope of the appended chiimsare comprehended by my invention,'and constitute no departure from the spirit thereof.

Having thus fully described my invention, What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. In a spring wheel, the combination, with a rim and a hub, of springs interposed between said rim and hub, said hub having cut-away portions into which said springs project and being, also, split at a plurality of points around its perimeter, a locking-key disposed in each of said cut-away portions,

between two adjacent springs, and provided with means engaging said springs and preventing sidewise movement thereof, and

edging means carried by said hub at said split portions thereof and movable to widen said slits to clamp the springs against move .able to widen said slits to clamp the springs against movement.

3. in a spring wheel, the combination, with a rim and a hub, of springs interposed between said ,rim and hub,'said hub haying cut-away portions into which said springs project and being, also, split at a.plurality of points around its perimeter, a lockingkey, comprising a plate, disposed in each of said cut-away portions, between two adjacent springs, aud provided with means engaging said springs and preventing sidewise movement thereof.

in testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand in presence of two subscribing witnesses.

ARTHUR LAURENCIC] l.

lVitnesses:

E. T. Bnaisnnnnnne, ANDREW I. Hickey.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

' Washington, 1). 0. 

